1Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your background.
Nick: I’m an architect and co-founder of re-ply.org, which I launched with Nikita as an offshoot of BVN to create sustainable products from reclaimed plywood. Raised in Australia and inspired by the simplicity and efficiency of boat design, I bring this philosophy into my work.
Nikita: I'm Nikita and I'm the co-founder of re-ply.org. I grew up in Jakarta in a design-focused family, studied architecture in Sydney, and lived there for 11 years before moving to New York.
2What made you become/why did you choose to become a product designer?
Nick and Nikita: Our shift into product design stemmed from a desire to address architectural waste. Inspired by our workspace design experience, we saw potential in transforming discarded materials into modular, sustainable solutions. We're drawn to community-centered design and passionate about helping New York City revive and support its hospitality industry.
3Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.
Nick and Nikita: Re-ply repurposes waste plywood from NYC’s 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, applying circular economy principles to create outdoor furniture for restaurants, bars and cafes. We work with local CNC fabricators, supporting both sustainable design and local makers. By collaborating with restaurant owners, operators, and users, we gain insights to better meet their specific needs.
4What does “design” mean to you?
Nick and Nikita: Design is about solving problems with elegance and efficiency, creating the greatest impact with the least intervention. It connects people to spaces, offering solutions that genuinely make a difference.
5What’s your favorite kind of design and why?
Nick: I’m drawn to modular design for its adaptability and waste reduction.
Nikita: I love creating spaces where people connect and share memorable moments.
6To you, what makes a “good” design?
Nick: I’m drawn to modular design for its adaptability and waste reduction.
Nikita: I love creating spaces where people connect and share memorable moments.
7Describe your design style and its main characteristics.
Nick and Nikita: Our design is functional, refined and human-focused, prioritizing material economy and modularity. It emphasizes sustainability, practicality, and beauty in simplicity, with a clean aesthetic and subtle Australian influences.
8Tell us about your design process.
Nick and Nikita: Our approach is iterative, using prototypes and a "fail fast" method to encourage rapid improvement. We focus on aligning sustainable goals with practical, adaptable, and human-centric solutions.
9Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your design process?
Nick: Australia taught us the value of simplicity, resilience, and efficiency.
Nikita: Nikita: Growing up in Indonesia shaped my focus on community-oriented spaces, and living in both Sydney and New York—two diverse melting pots—has deepened that interest.
10Congratulations! As the winner of the 2024 NY Product Design Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?
Nick and Nikita: It’s a huge honor, validating our mission to turn waste into something positive and create spaces for people. This recognition celebrates the dedication of our team and everyone we collaborate with, inspiring us to continue pushing good design forward.
11Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2024 NY Product Design Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
Nick and Nikita: Re-ply began as an initiative to repurpose materials used to secure businesses, transforming city spaces for a rebirth of a more inclusive society. It reactivated streets, allowing people to gather again in the summer of 2020. This evolved into functional, modular furniture to support NYC’s outdoor dining revival, offering a sustainable, community-focused solution for restaurants, bars and cafes.
12What was the biggest challenge with this project?
Nick and Nikita: Securing and processing plywood consistently while designing furniture adaptable to outdoor spaces, and ensuring that the product meets the needs of the users.
13How has winning an award developed your practice/career?
Nick and Nikita: It strengthens our brand and mission, inspiring us to keep pushing forward. It’s also a great way to connect with others who share our vision for sustainable design.
14What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?
Nick and Nikita: Innovation, commitment to sustainability, and the collaborative nature of the design industry drive our work.
15What makes your country specifically, unique in the design industry?
Nick and Nikita: We take a unique approach to simplicity, resilience, and functional beauty, blending a clean, distinct aesthetic with a strong focus on creating spaces that bring people together.
16Where do you see the evolution of design industry going over the next 5-10 years?
Nick and Nikita: We place increasing emphasis on circular economy principles, low-carbon materials, and modular design, minimizing waste and creating adaptable, resilient products. Our focus remains on people and community-centered design, ensuring that our solutions serve and support the needs of those who use them.
17If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring NY Product Design Awards submitter, what advice would you give them?
Nick and Nikita: Embrace challenges as learning opportunities, be bold, and let sustainability lead the way. Build meaningful connections and create designs that truly make a difference in people's lives.
18What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the design industry?
Nick and Nikita: For inspiration, we turn to Designboom and The Circular Design Guide for sustainable practices. We engage in hands-on workshops focused on prototyping and materials research to develop our skills. It’s also a chance to meet and build relationships with people in the industry, fostering collaboration and growth.
19Tell us something you have never told anyone else.
Nick: I built model boats to test in a friend’s pool, shaping my design philosophy around simplicity and efficiency.
20Who has inspired you in your life and why?
Nick: I’m inspired by naval architect Bernard Smith for his elegant approach to design.
Nikita: My family inspires me to always pause and smell the roses, appreciating life’s simple moments.
21What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Nick: Resilience, curiosity, and simplicity—embrace learning and strive to create more with less.
Nikita: Taking the time to pause and smell the roses every now and then!
